Bath Beyond Boundaries – 2024

First place: FilTerra

FilTerra is a carbon-negative domestic water filter, offering a solution to the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution.

With microplastics continuing to infiltrate ecosystems and even our bodies, there is a critical need for intervention. FilTerra leverages biochar’s unique properties, with its high specific surface area and microscopic pores, and is engineered to effectively trap microplastics in the range of 20-300 μm.

As a biochar filter is made from upcycled organic waste to perform water filtration, it can undercut other filtration systems in terms of price. FilTerra can provide individual consumers with a convenient and impactful means of removing micro plastics from their water.

By proactively addressing this pressing environmental concern, FilTerra represents a transformative step towards safeguarding our water resources and minimising the insidious health risks associated with microplastic exposure.

Students:

• Nika Kanayev – Mechanical Engineering
• Tim Girling – Chemical Engineering

Prize awarded: £1,000

Joint runner-up: MyStemMentor

MyStemMentor aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional development within the STEM community. The platform would connect students across various stages of their educational journey from school to university and ultimately onto their early career paths.

By collating experiences of a range of students at different levels of STEM education, the gap within the industry will close, facilitating informed decisions and creating smoother transitions for students going from school to university to their early career in industry.

MyStemMentor is a community built on the principle of paying knowledge forward. University students from a wide range of STEM disciplines will guide students at school, offering insights into university life and course selection, while recent graduates will act as mentors to university students looking to progress into the professional industry.

Students:

• Annie Hayton – Civil and Architectural Engineering
• Sami Mustafa – Civil and Architectural Engineering

Prize awarded: £650

Joint runner-up: Spark

Spark is a dynamic platform which bridges the gap between businesses who are looking to boost their productivity, and aspiring students who are seeking opportunities.

The platform connects professionals who have the ability to outsource tasks, with motivated students eager for real-world, practical experience.

On one side of the Spark platform, professionals from a business list manageable tasks that they require to be completed. This boosts their productivity, freeing up their valuable time which can be focused on core responsibilities. For the business, Spark provides access to a pool of highly motivated and engaged students, from which they can potentially recruit.

On the other side of the platform, a verified student can pick up and complete listed tasks in a niche that they are interested in. This provides students with the chance to gain hands-on experience in a desired industry, enhance their CV, build industry connections, and potentially secure a short-term employment opportunity.

Student:

• Mihir Shah – Mechanical Engineering

Prize awarded: £650

Joint runner-up: Stu

Stu is a mobile app providing recipe inspiration and cooking tips for students. The innovative format utilises engaging user-generated posts to simplify the process of finding simple, healthy recipes, whilst a reward system provides financial incentives.

Many students across the UK struggle to balance their busy schedules with preparing nutritious meals, often turning to takeaways as a convenient alternative. At the same time, the cost of living has put strain on student budgets. Stu addresses these challenges with three key features – useful cooking tips to transition to indpedent living, student-tested recipes with costed shopping lists and a reward system allowing users to earn points for using the app.

By providing accessible resources, inspiration, and incentives, Stu empowers students to make healthier, budget-friendly meal choices and develop essential cooking skills that will serve them well beyond their university years.

Student:

• Toby Taylor – Integrated Design Engineering

Prize awarded: £650